Ken Loach's powerful drama is set during the early days of the emerging resistance movement in Ireland in the 1920s as it fought to rebel against the British occupation forces. A young man (Cillian Murphy) is set to take up a post as a doctor in London but re-examines his priorities after witnessing some of the actions of the occupying forces. The young man decides to join the nascent resistance movement. The film follows the resistance movement as the perspectives of the men and women involved change subtly resulting in a tragic schism among the resistance fighters. This film won the 2006 Cannes Palme d'Or award.
(Note: This film contains moderate violence and bad language.)
Often referred to as an Irish take on King Lear, the parallels between Lear and The Field's main character, "The Bull" McCabe resonate throughout the film. This film, though its searing portrayal of one man's obsession with a piece of land examines the particularly Irish land-obsession phenomenon but it is also an interesting study in the dynamics which exist in different relationships such as that between a father and son and that of an outsider in a local community. Jim Sheridan's creation is a gripping and faithful interpretation of one of Ireland's best loved playwright's (John B. Keane) best works.